Denise Richards is caught in a legal storm as her estranged husband Aaron Phypers filed court documents on July 21, 2026, claiming she owes him over $41,000 in unpaid spousal support and attorney fees. According to court filings obtained by Us Magazine, Richards was ordered to pay Phypers $5,000 monthly starting in February 2026 for temporary support and legal costs. She made some payments early on—$4,500 in April and $2,000 each in May and June—but hasn’t paid anything since then. The Real Housewives alum is now accused of owing $13,500 in spousal support and $28,000 in attorney fees.
Beyond the money dispute, Phypers alleges that Richards is deliberately obstructing the divorce process by refusing to file mandatory financial disclosures and discovery documents. The court filings state that Richards even requested the attorney fees be spread out over three months to help her pay them, yet she hasn’t followed through. Phypers’legal team claims she has demonstrated adequate income on previous court documents, making the non-payment even more questionable. This allegation of stonewalling adds fuel to an already contentious legal battle that’s been playing out since Phypers filed for divorce in June 2025 after six years of marriage.
The drama intensified when Phypers’mother launched a controversial GoFundMe campaign that mentioned Richards’15-year-old adopted daughter, prompting the actress to speak out against involving her children in the legal dispute. Richards has already secured two legal victories, including blocking wage garnishment and getting financial documents sealed. What happens next in this case could set the tone for how the rest of their divorce settlement plays out. Do you think celebrities should face the same court enforcement as everyone else, or is their wealth and status a game-changer?
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Local Lawton
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